Luis Mora arrived in Acadiana via his native Colombia almost 60 years ago, to attend the University of Southwestern Louisiana.
Over the ensuing decades, Mora has done a lot more than just make Lafayette his home. He got married, raised a family and worked in the oil and gas industry, primarily with Exxon, which took him all over the world. He helped found theΒ AsociaciΓ³n Cultural Latino Acadiana 25 years ago, out of a passion to support Acadiana's growing Latin community.
And Mora is the "workhorse" for the annual ACLA Latin Music Festival, where everyone can experience the music, food, dance, language and community celebrated by Lafayette's vibrant blend of Spanish-speaking cultures.Μύ
The Latin Music Festival is coming back to Parc International in downtown Lafayette this year on Oct. 3 and 4. As ACLA chairman, Mora has been running errands all over town for several weeks now, from fundraising and outreach to arranging the festival's operational details.
At the age of 85, and officially retired for almost 30 years, Mora "doesn't stop," said longtime festival and ACLA volunteer Vanessa Paredes.Μύ
"Even still, when the festival is over and we have to clean up at 10 and 11 p.m., we're putting it all on his truck," she said. "He really likes helping the community and getting involved, and that's how he learns about a lot of different places that need assistance."
Since 2002, the Latin Music Festival has supported ACLA's work, which includes promoting Spanish immersion education in Acadiana, and providing support for community members that need help, through food drives and other services.Μύ
"Last week we had about 12,000 pounds of food, and we distributed to Second Harvest, a couple of churches, and in Ile des Cannes, to a pastor who works hard to help the Latino community in that area," said Mora. It's efforts like this that led to Mora being honored this month as a Lafayette "wavemaker" at the 2025 Undercurrent Awards.Μύ
He's not slowing down, but in many ways, the work has not gotten easier. Mora said that fundraising has always been a challenge, and this year, attendees will have to for the first time to enter the Latin Music FestivalΒ β $10 for both days, for sale at the gate or online.Μύ
"We're totally dependent on volunteers. We don't have paid staff, so it's difficult," said Mora.Μύ
"What we're trying to do it sell the community to Lafayette. We've got great food, and great music you can dance to. And we support local institutions, and work really closely with immersion schools and immersion teachers. We want to showcase that American kids can come on stage and sing songs in Spanish. It's a mutual benefit for all of us."Β
After so many years in Lafayette and with the ACLA, Mora has seen firsthand the benefits of mutual aid and support in immigrant communities. Prevailing political and cultural winds can present challenges to that work, but Mora hopes that the Latin Music Festival can continue to be a bridge between Latin and Louisiana cultures, helping to facilitate communication and understanding.Μύ
"When we're not communicating, not exchanging ideas, not working for the common good, it pretty scary," he said.Μύ